Stump puller



Feb. 24, 1925.

E. RICKETSON ET AL STUMP FULLER Filed June 2. 1924 4 Sheets-She'et 1 E922 Ezblefson Feb. 24, 1925- 1,521,917

E. RICKETSON ET AL STUMP FULLER Filed J 2, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1111111". V'IIIIIIIIIII ATTORNEY 4A v Y WE Feb; 24; 1925.

E. RECKETSON ET AL S TUMP FULLER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 My W ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1925.

E. RICKETSON' ET AL STUMP FULLER Filed June 2, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WITNESS% Patented Feb. 24, 1925.

UNITED. STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

STUMP FULLER.

Application and June 2,

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that we, EsroN-RIoxE'rsoN and ROBERT V. DAY, citizens of the United States, residing at Douglas, in the county of Coffee and State of Georgiayhave invented new and useful Improvements in Stump Pullers, of which the following is a specification. V

This invention relates to stump pullers and has for its object the provision of a novel device so constructed and arranged as to utilize a tractor as the means for applying power to a winding mechanism for applying a pull toaflexible member engaged about the stump to be pulled.

An important object is the provision of a device of this character including a skid onto whichthe tractor maybe driven and provided with means for supporting the tractor infsuch manner that the rear axle. thereof'will be in operative engagement with the transmission mechanism for the winding drum,

' sion of a clutch means associated with and Another objectis the provision of a skid device so constructed and arranged ihat it may freely slide over the ground so as to accommodate itself automatically to the line of pull between the anchor, and the; stump to be extracted, and to'move easily from one anchor to another.

A further objectis the provision of a device of-this character in which means is provided for guiding the flexible member. cable or the like, during the skidding or shifting movementso'as to prevent any strain upon or binding of the winding mechanism.

Another important feature is the provi-' forming a part of the winding mechanism whereby the transmission may be thrown into inactive position to permit unreeling of the flexible member without there being any movement imparted to the various gears of the transmission.

Still .another' object is the provision of a novel brake mechanism associated with the windingdrum for the purpose of checking the rotation thereof and preventing back lash when unreeling the cable. 7

An additional object is the provision of an apparatus of this type which will be comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, which, with minor alterations or modifications, may be capable of'having any ordinary type or make of tractor mounted 1924. Seria1'No.717,400.

after more fully described and claimed, and

illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which:

:Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete device showing 7 a tractor mounted thereon inoperative position.

Figure 2 is aside elevation showing the tractor dismounted from the skid and showing the skid arranged for transportation from place to place.

Figure 3 is a top plan view.

Figure 4 is a cross section on the line 4:4 of Figure 1..

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4. N

Flgure 6 is a detail section showing an elevation of the brake mechanism.

Figure 7 is a detail cross section on the line '7.7 of Figure 6. e v

Figures 8 and 9 are detail views of the coacting clutch element,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary-detailsection showing the interengagement of the clutch element, and the ratcheting effect.

Figures 11 and12 are detail views illustrating a modifiedform of clutch. V

Figure 13 is a detail sectional view through the cable guide located at the front of the device.

Figure 14 is a 'section on the line 14-1 1 of Figure 13.

Figure 15' is a detail sectional View through one of the gears attached to the rear spindles of the tractor.

Figure 16 is an end view thereof.

Figure 17 is a plan View of the supportingskid, the frame members being in section and certain other parts being broken of Figure 17.

Figure 19 1s a cross section on the line 19-19 of Figure 18, and

Figures 20, 21 and 22 are fragmentary detail views.

Referring more particularly to the drawing the letter A designates the supporting base or skid as a whole, which is here shown as including longitudinal bars or sills 1 connected at intervals by cross bars 2 and having secured thereto a bottom 3 with upwardly inclined sides and ends. A platform 4 is preferably secured upon the longitudinal and cross bars and secured to the underneath side of the bottom 3, is a nan-like skid member 5 which has its interme iate portion flat to bear upon the ground and which has its edges and ends inclined as shown at 6. The purpose of having this pan-shaped sheathing on the underside will be hereinafter explained. The intermediate portion of the platform or base A has se cured thereon longitudinally extending bars 7 held as for instance by the bolts 8 which pass through the cross bars 2, and projecting beyond the forward end as shown at 9. lVh le certain details of this base have been described it should be distinctly understood at this point that there is no restriction whatsoever as to the specific arrangement of bars and other elements inasmuch as they may be varied within wide limits, the essential feature being merely that there. is the pan-shaped lower or skid surface whereby the device may slide on the ground to accommodate itself to the line of draft between the anchor and the stump to be extracted as will be described.

Qecured upon and rising from the rear portion of the base and spaced inwardly from the sides thereof are frames designated broadly by the letter B. Each of these frames might conveniently be constructed as a single casting though if pre ferred they might be constructed of any suitable number of parts secured together in any preferred manner and firmly secured to the platform or base A by any preferred means such as that disclosed. j For bracing purposes we provide stay-rods 10 which extend through the frames B at various points and which insure a strong and rigid structure. The upper edges of these frames are formed with saddle portions 11 designed to support the rear axle housing 0 of an ordinary tractor indicated at D. Secured upon the upper edges of these frames are caps 12 which embracingly engage the axle housing C and which operate to prevent the tractor from any displacement.

At the rear portions of the frames B are bearings 13 for a horizontal shaft 14 upon the ends of which are keyed or otherwise secured large gears 15 which mesh with idler gears 16 carried by a transverse shaft .17 journaled through suitable bearings 18 on the frame members B.

In order to mount the tractor in position, it is necessary to back it up onto the base A. the rear wheelsE being of course in place on the rear spindles F and traveling along the platform at the side edges thereof. The

tractor is moved to a position adjacent the forward ends of the frame members B, and a billet of wood or the like is then'laid upon the base in such position that when the tractor is additionally driven the cleat commonly provided on the rear wheels will engage the billet and ride up thereon. In this way the rear part of the tractor is elevated to such an extent that the rear axle housing will be located above and will drop into the saddles 11, after which thecaps 12 are placed in position and bolted down to hold the tractor in position. Subsequently to this, the tractor wheels E are removed, and secured then upon the spindles F, and held by the usual nuts G, are sleeves 19 having their inner ends formed as gears 20 which mesh with the idler gears 16; When these various things have been done, it is quite apparent that when the tractor is operated the shaft 14 will be rotated through the medium of the train of gears.

Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 14 between the frames B is a drum or Windlass 21 having side flanges 22 and 23 and-having secured thereto and wrapped thereabout a cable 24 which has its free end extending along the base and passing through a guide device mounted on the extension 9. "The extremity of this cable is intended to be connected with the stump to he pulled.

The guide device referred to is designated broadly by the letter H and includes a frame 25 formed or mount-ed upon the-extension 9 and having journaled therein pairs of vertical rollers 26 and horizontal rollers 27 between which the cable 24 passes. The purpose of this guide device is to keep the cable always in a position along the longitudinal axis of the complete device. It should also be mentioned in passing that the forward extremity of the extension 9 is provided-with a hole-28 for engagement therein or connection therewith 'of any suitable draft device such as the couplingpin for the draw-bar of the tractor so that the device may be transported.

Within one end of the drum 21 is a clutch face 29 either formed upon or secured to'the drum and cooperating with a clutch face 30 on a sleeve 31 or collar which is splined upon the shaft 14 and which is grooved for engagement by the pins 31 projecting inwardly from the opposite sides 32 of ajshifting lever 33 'pivotally mounted as shown at 34. It will of course be seen that by shifting this lever in one direction or the other the clutch members may be engagedor disengaged at will whereby to control the rotation of the drum. The advantage in providing this clutch device is that the drum may be permitted to run absolutely freely when unree'ling the cable 24 for the purpose of carrying it to and engaging it upon the stump to be extracted. This clutch device makes it unnecessary for all the gearing in the transmission to be rotated when the cable is unreeled. The clutch faces may be of the type shown in detailin Figures 8, 9,

and 10 and be formed as series of notchesand teeth 85 and 36 respectively having inclined surfaces 37 and square shoulders 38 which interfit and cooperate for providing the driving connection, or, if preferred, the clutch elements might be of the type shown in Figures 11 and 12, in which views, the elements 39 and 40 corresponding to the above described elements 29 and 80 are differently shaped, the teeth and notches, as the case may be, being peripherally arranged instead of laterally as in the first described form. However, we do not desire to be limited to either of these clutch forms inasmuch as other varieties may be .used to equal advantage. The essential feature is' that there should be a clutch mechanism within the drum for making it run idle when such is desired.

For controlling the rotation of the drum when unreeling the cable, so as to prevent any possible back lash, we provide the flange 23 with a brake shoe 41 suitably mounted on its periphery and encircled by a contractile friction band 42 which has one end anchored at 43 and its other end connected with an angle lever 44 which is suitably pivoted as at 45 and which is operable to contract the band and applyxfrictional resist ance to the rotation of the drum.

For anchoring the device and preventing it from movement when it is being used for pullinga stump, we provide a fiexiblemember which is adapted tobe engaged about a growing tree, rock or other stationary object and which has its ends 46 carrying clevises 47 detachably connected by pins 48 with the rear ends of the upright frames B.

In order that the device may be transported easily from place to place wherever its use may be desired, we provide a wheel attachment which comprises a shaft 49 adapted to be engaged through openings 50 in the frame members B when itis intended to apply the wheel attachment. At the openings 50, the frames are formed with cam grooves 51 which open out to the sldes as indicated at 52 and which receive and hold the transverse pins '53 which project beyond the shaft 49. By this arrangement it will be seen that the shaft is inserted through the openings 50 in such a way that the pins 53 will engage within the cam grooves 51 and prevent longitudinal movement of the shaft 49. It will be apparent that only one opening 50 is provided with a cam groove as this is entirely suflicient. Detachably mounted on the ends of this shaft 49 are suitable round engaging wheels 54 of sufficient diaintiter to support the base A above the ground.

lVhen the device is merely being trans-' ported, the shaft 49 is in position and'the through the hole 28. The tractor may then pull the entire device bodily along the ground as clearly shown in Figure 2.

When use of the device is desired, the

wheels 54 are removed and the shaft 49 preferably taken out of the frame so that the base of the device will rest upon the surface of the ground. The flexible member 46 is engaged about a free or other stationary object and the clevises 47 are connected with the rear ends of the frames B by means of the pins 48. The device is then firmly anchored so that it cannot move except in the arc of a circle concentric with theanchor. The tractor D is then backed' up onto the base and the billet of WOOCl used, as above described, to lift the tractor D, and permit'it to drop onto the frames B sothat the rear axle housing C will engage within the saddles 11. The caps 12 are applied :and the tractor wheels E are removed, subsequently to which the sleeves 19 carrying the gears 20 are engaged upon the tractor spindles F and secured by means of the nuts G as above mentioned. The clutch lever 33 is thrown into such position as to disengage the clutch mem bers' 29 and 30, or 39 and 40, as the case may be, whereupon the drum will be idle on its shaft 14. The operator then takes hold of the cable 24 and unreels it from the drum until its free end can be looped about or otherwise secured to the stump to be pulled. When the tractor is subsequently operated and the clutch lever 33' moved to engage the clutch members 29 and 30, or 39 and 40 as the case may be, it is quite apparent that the drum 21 willberotated and will operate to wind in the cable. In case the device is not standing in an exact line between the anchor and the stump to be extracted, it is quite apparent that the first effect of the winding action of the drum will be to cause the entire device to slide upon the surface of the ground until it is in such alinement. The continued rotation of the drum causing winding in of the cable will naturally exert a pulling ef= feet and cause extraction of the stump. Owing to the peculiar pan-shape of the bottom 6 of the base A it is quite apparent that the device will easily slide about as it may be necessary to do in order to secure the proper alinement. Naturally small rocks and other rough surfaces in'the ground will not interfere'with this sliding action.

The provision of the intermediate gears 16 is extremely important, the advantage being that it is possible to have three speed forw-ardwhich willenable the machine to move from-one anchor to another with greater speed, and which will also increase the speed in pulling stumps As a matter of fact it does not require the lowest speed or even the intermediate speed to pull small stumps, :itbeing easily possible to extract them with the transmission of the tractor in high gear; Furthermore, it is'not neces This skiddingfrom place to place can'be done in vhigh gear and w thout removing the tractor fromth'e skid, a circumstance which will mean a considerable saving in time. ,i

When use" of the. device isno longer desired, the-caps-12 are removed, the sleeves 19- carrying thegears 20 also removed, the tractor 'wheelsE replaced and the billet of wood. used in the reverse manner to that aboveydescribed to permit the tractor to lift itself under; its own power out of the saddles 11 so that it mayroll along and 0E fromzthe base A; Subsequently to this the shaft 49 is replaced and the wheels 54 mounted thereon whereupon the device will be ready for transportation.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings'it will be apparent that -we have thus. provided a comparatively simple and relatively inexpensive device for pulling stumps, the device being so arrangedthat use may be made of any ordinary or wellknown type of tractor for the application of power for driving themechanism'which winds in the cable for pulling the stumps, The device is bound to be. efficient in every way and a manifest convenienceand time saver for those engaged in this work. Owing to the ruggedness of the construction it is apparent that the device should have maximum durability and consequently long life.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is of course-to be understood that we reserve the right to make such changes in comprising a skid base, spaced upright frame members located on said base and formed with saddles adapted to support the axle housingsof a tractor, a Windlass mechanism mounted-upon the -base,-and a transmission mechanism for driving the wind-' lass including ,gears adapted to be mountedupon the-tractor spindles subsequent to the removal of the wheels therefrom.

:2. In a device of thecharacterdescribed, a skid-base, spaced uprightframe members mounted on said base and formed with saddle' portions adapted to support the axle:

housings of a tractor, a winding drum carried by the frame members and a trans-' 1111851011 mechanism for driving the drum including a gear carried by the drum, a

counter shaft carrying a gearmeshing with said first l1LIIlClgeZ1I,1l1Cl a gear adapted to be mounted upon a spindle of the tractor subsequent to the removal of the wheel therefronr'and meshing with said second named gear.

3. In a device ofthe character described,

a skid. base, spaced upright parallel frame members mounted on said base and provided with saddles adapted to support the axle housings'of a tractor, a. counte'rshaft jouriialed' through the frames and carrying gears, a Windlass mechanism driven by said gears and including a releasable clutch 'ele ment, and gears adapted to be mounted'upon the tractor spindles subsequent to the formed with saddles adapted to support the axle housings 'of a tractor, gears disposable upon the' tractorspindlessubsequent to the removal of the tractor wheels, a counter shaft'journaled in said frames and carry ing gears meshing with .said firstlnamed' gears, a shaft journaled through said frames and carrying'gears' meshing with said secondnamed gears, a drum rotatablyanonnt ed on said last named' shaft, clutch means for coupling said drum on its shaft, and means COIlllGCtGClWVliZh oneend of the-skid baseforanchoringthe same, and a flexible member secured to and wrapped about the V drum and trained through said guide.

5. A device of the character described comprising a skid base, a cable guide at the forward end thereof, upright spaced frame members located on said base and formed with saddles adapted to support the axle housings of a tractor, gears disposable up: on the tractor spindles subsequent to the removal of the tractor wheels, a counter shaft journaled in said frames and carry, ing gears meshing with said first named gears, a shaft journaled through said frames and carrying gears meshing with said sec: ond named gears, a drum rotatably mount ed on said last named shaft, clutch means for coupling said drum onto its shaft, means connected to one end of the skid basefor anchoring the same, a flexible member secured to and wrapped about the drum and trained through said guide, the guide means including a frame, and pairs of vertical and horizontal rollers journaled therein and between which the cable passes.

6. A device of the character described comprising a skid base, a cable guide atthe forward end thereof, upright spaced frame members located on said base and formed with saddles adapted to support the axle housings of a tractor, gears disposable upon the tractor spindles subsequent to the removal of the tractor wheels, a counter shaft journaled in said frames and carrying gears meshing with said first named gears, a shaft journaled through said frames and carrying gears meshing with said second named gears, a drum rotatabl mounted on said last named shaft, clutci means for coupling said drum onto its shaft and means connected with one end of the skid base for anchoring the same, a flexible member secured to and wrapped about the drum and trained through said guide, the clutch device being operable to permit the drum to run freely upon its shaft with all the gears inactive, and a brake device for regulating rotation of the drum.

7. A device of the character described comprising a skid base, a cable guide at the forwardend thereof, upright spaced frame members located on said base and formed with saddles adapted. to support the axle housing of a tractor, gears disposable upon the tractor spindles subsequent to the removal of the tractor wheels, a counter shaft journaled in said frames and carrying gears meshing with said first named gears, a shaft journaled through said frames and carrying gears meshing with said second named gears, a drum rotatably mounted on said last named shaft, clutch means for coupling said drum onto its shaft and means connected with one end of the skid base for anchoring the same, a flexible member secured to and wrapper about the drum and trained through said guide, the clutch device being operable to permit the drum to run freely upon its shaft with all the ears inactive, a brake device for regulat- 5 ing rotation of the drum, the brake device including a shoe carried by the drum at one end thereof, a contractile band encircling the shoe and having one end anchored, and a lever pivotally mounted and connected with the other end of the band.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

ROBERT V. DAY. ESTON RIGKE'DSON. 

